This text is replaced by the Flash movie. Navigation.
Q: I was watching the news and I heard them mention that JP2 was adding a 4th mystery onto the rosary. Do you have any more insight on this? Any information would be appreciated. Thanks.
Oh, do I have insight on this... this one of the coolest things to happen in the Catholic Church in a very long time. As Pope John Paul II begins his 25 year as spiritual leader of the Church (his anniversary is on October 22nd) he has chosen to make this the "Year of the Rosary," just like he called for a "Year of Jubilee" when we entered the new millennium. To make this time even more special he is choosing to announce a new set of "Mysteries of Light" for use as we pray the rosary. Now for most of us this is a huge thing to hear about, because it doesn't happen every day... in fact its really only happened twice before. Remember, rosary began after St. Dominic had a vision of the Blessed Mother who gave him the form of how to pray the rosary. The first real change took place when, in the 16th century (300 years after St. Dominic) the 3 sets of 5 mysteries were put in place. The second significant change happened came at Fatima in 1917 when a new prayer was added with the intention of bringing an end to Communism. There has always been changes, prayers added and taken depending on the culture or the needs of the times. Still the addition of this new set of mysteries is really cool. In them we are being asked to focus on some beautiful and powerful moments in the life of Christ. For those who might not know what the new are mysteries, here you go: The Baptism of Jesus by St. John the Baptist. The Miracle at the Wedding Feast of Cana. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God. The Transfiguration. The Institution of the Eucharist.I think that the message we should be getting from the Holy Father by him doing this is that we must become more and more a people of prayer... a people striving to live in the light. This would be a great opportunity for priests, youth ministers, and parents to spend some time teaching their parishes, youth programs, and children about the glorious traditions of prayer we have in our Church. Monsignor Dale was even quoted in the "USA Today" on Thursday, October 17th and he said that the younger generation (that would be y'all) have a need for prayer more than ever, "Now their children are finding new excitement in old-fashioned practices... kids today hunger for spirituality." I know that some people will have problems with these additions... most of us don't really understand change when it first happens, but I would ask anyone who is in any way nervous about this to think and pray about something... we believe that the Holy Spirit guides and directs the Church, right? (the answer is yes) Then trust in that guidance to be leading us into a deeper notion and life of prayer. I'm praying for you.
The Baptism of Jesus by St. John the Baptist. The Miracle at the Wedding Feast of Cana. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God. The Transfiguration. The Institution of the Eucharist.
Youth Ministers, did you know you can plan your 2010-2011 youth ministry programming in less than a week? Join us at Covecrest
Join the ladies of Life Teen for the third annual women’s retreat. Women of all ages from all over the country will gather at beautiful Camp Covecrest for an inspiring and rejuvenating weekend of Catholic prayer and community. Will you join us?
Home
Photos
Games
Video
Store
Contact Us
